Four years later he has finally been called up again after Ryan Giggs added him to a squad hit by withdrawals – star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey among those unavailable – ahead of tomorrow night’s Nations League game against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Former Colchester, Leyton Orient and Wales U21 boss Geraint Williams is now part of the coaching staff at Ipswich Town's academy. Photo: Pagepix

It follows an encouraging start to life at Portman Road for Edwards, 25, since his £700k switch from League One club Peterborough United this summer.

“I’m really pleased for Gwion,” said the experienced Williams, whose current role sees him coach the coaches at Playford Road.

“It didn’t happen for him at Swansea, he dropped down the leagues, has come back up and is a great example to any young player that if you keep working hard you’ll get your rewards.

Gwion Edwards has produced some exciting displays for Ipswich since his £700k move from Peterborough United this summer. Photo: Steve Waller

“This call-up will give him a major confidence boost. No disrespect to the boys here, but the standard and quality of training will go up. He’s going to be rubbing shoulders with the elite and if you come away thinking ‘that was alright’ then you feel really good about yourself.

“In Ryan Giggs he has a manager who, given his age and position, he will no doubt look up to. Once you get a taste of it you want more and he’ll know he has to keep doing it for Ipswich Town for that to happen.”

Former Town and Wales midfielder Williams managed Colchester United and Leyton Orient during the 00s before moving into the Welsh set-up, initially as U21 boss before taking on a role as senior opposition scout for the successful Euro 2016 campaign.

Gwion Edwards' previous call-up for Wales was back in 2014. Photo: Steve Waller

“I remember Gwion scoring an equaliser when we lost 3-1 to England in a Euro U21 qualifier (2014),” he recalled. “He was always a pleasure to work with because he works so hard and loves the game.

“He loves the physical side of things. Normally with wingers you are having to demand more of that, but with him you would be saying ‘go easy on the tackling’.

“I’m there as a sounding board for young coaches like Gerard Nash, Chris Hogg, Adem Atay and Kieron Dyer,” he explained. “They are all very open-minded to learn and improve all the time. We’re always having debriefs after sessions and bouncing ideas around.”

On Town’s new first team management duo, Williams added: “Both have been great; very welcoming, very open, very accommodating. They come and watch as much of the youth games as possible and have taken a lot of interest in the academy.

“It was a massive result at Swansea going into the international break and now we all hope that momentum can be carried forwards.”